top of page

We take Covid-19 safety measures very seriously at Aspire Mouintain Journeys, and strive to create fun and efficient trips while also reducing risks to you, our guests, but also to our guides and communities.

​

Early on in the Pandemic, Cece fell ill with Covid 19, likely contracted on a flight home from Antarctica in February, 2020.  She went on to develop a debilitating case of "long-covid" that she is still recovering from after almost a year and a half. 

COVID-19 Information 

Updated July 20, 2021
​
Note: As new guidelines related to vaccination status are announced, these will be integrated into our Covid-19 Policies.  At this point, Cece is fully vaccinated with Pfeizer Vaccine.  We encourage all our guests to take advantage of the protection offered by the vaccines.  
​
Please confirm your travel is in accordance with Provincial and Federal Health Orders.
- Federal Guidelines here:
- Fully Vaccinated Americans will be allowed to enter Canada Aug. 9, 2021
1) pre-travel PCR Covid test
2) proof of vacination with an approved vaccine 
3) enrolling in the ArriveCAN app
- Other Fully Vaccinated foreigners may be allowed to enter Sept. 7, 2021. 
- Refer to Current BC Guidelines here (As of July 7, 2021). 
- Refer to Current AB Guidelines here (As of July 1, 2021).

Management of COVID-19 Risks

The COIVD-19 pandemic has impacted every corner of the world.

As someone who contracted Coronavirus early in the Pandemic and suffered the lingering debilitation of 'Long-Covid", Cece is highly committed to providing low-risk trips that are in compliance with best-practice industry standards.   In addition to the standard ACMG Waiver, Guests will also be required to complete a health declaration and comply with Covid-19 policies as states.  If you are not willing to comply with these guidelines, please consider booking with another guide.  

 

A series of new policies and measures have been integrated into daily operations in effort to keep our guests, our guides and our communities safe. These are based on Worksafe BC Covid-19 requirements and recommendations, as well as the ACMG Covid-19 Recommended Best Practises. Please take the time to read how we will be managing Covid-19 together on your upcoming trip.

​

Pre-screening

We will be pre-screening each guest, to ensure they are feeling well and have no known exposure to Covid-19, or symptoms of it. To be able to participate in a course or trip each guest and guide will have to complete a Declaration of Health and Exposure document. If not able to say no to all of the statements below, you will not be allowed to participate in the trip/ course.

  • You have not been in contact with a confirmed positive Covid-19 case within the last 14 days.

  • You have not experienced any of the following symptoms within the last 14 days, that are new and not related to allergies or pre-existing conditions: persistent cough, fever higher than 38 degrees Celsius, shortness of breath, sore throat, flu-like symptoms, runny nose.

  • You are not from a household of someone showing symptoms of Covid-19. You have not travelled outside Canada within the past 14 days.

  • You have not been in contact with someone who travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days.

  • At this point, this is regardless of vaccination status, but may be updated as per Health Guidelines.  

We encourage everyone to manage their exposure in their personal lives more strictly leading up to your trip, and to maintain a high level of personal hygiene at all times following provincial guidelines. For us to be able to operate safely it requires that each and every one of us take accountability for our actions.

 

Please do not show up if you are feeling sick & refer to the BC Government self-assessment tool if you have any concerns.  We take this seriously and if we believe you are not well, we will send you home.

What to Expect during the trip

 
Physical Distancing

  • Whenever possible, physical distancing of 2 meters will be maintained between guests and guides and the public.

  • In mandatory close contact instances (e.g. at a hanging belay, in a snow pit, during some teaching situations, or in a rescue) all participants will have the option to wear masks.

  • All meeting locations will be outside to ensure physical distancing can be maintained and no shared transport will be provided.

  • Everyone will strive to reduce shared transportation and meet guides at the trailhead.

 
Use of PPE: Masks and Hand Sanitization

  • Personal protective equipment will be encouraged at all times when physical distancing is not possible, and in any indoor space. This include face mask and cleaned/ gloved hands.

  • Guests will be required to provide their own PPE. 

  • We recommend using N95 for any high-exposure travel to / from our trips, particularly if not fully vaccinated.

  • 3-layer surgical masks appear to provide an excellent ratio of protection and breathability.

  • "Buffs" are only "recommended" if they are the customized 3-layer Covid-19 variety.  

  • Keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer handy 

 
Daily Screening

  • Daily health screenings will be done on courses and trips that are multiple days. 

  • Each guest will be asked to complete the BC Self -Assessment at the start of every day.  

 
Avoiding Indoor Spaces

  • Indoor spaces will be minimized on all courses and meeting locations will be outside to ensure physical distancing.

  • All our classroom based sessions of courses will be moved to an online format.

 
Dedicated Personal Equipment

  • Guests will be asked to provide their own equipment, which will not be in contact with other guests or guides equipment to avoid cross contamination.

  • All group gear will be shared intentionally, with adequate hand sanitization / gloves as appropriate.

  • Any gear provided by Aspire Mountain Journeys will be disinfected and cleaned appropriately, and isolated for 72 hours in between use.

 
Small Groups

  • If possible, try to book a trip or course with your "pod" of people.

  • We will try to run our trips and courses to avoid exposure to people outside your circle. Please send us an email if you would like to book a private experience for you and your pod.

  • Our policies and guidelines may change as the season goes on, and we will do our best to inform you with any changes to our policies as they happen. Please be ready to adjust and adapt to our ever changing world.

 

Personal Tenting & Enhanced Hygiene in Huts

  • All guests will be asked to use private tents, unless sharing with someone from the same household.

  • Huts may be run at limited capacity and enhanced hygiene and physical distancing enforced within the hut, including mask use when not seated for meals.

  • Cooking guidelines will vary based on trip.  If backpacking / tenting, each guest will be asked to prepare their own food.  In a hut, guests may be responsible for their own food or food may be provided by a cook.  

​

If Someone Gets Sick During the Trip

  • If someone starts feeling sick during a trip or course, they should immediately limit any contact with any other participant, sanitize their hands, wear a mask and maintain 2m distance from others. 

  • If the day's activities have not yet started, try to be in touch with your guide via phone / email. 

  • If the day's activities are underway, then they should immediately sanitize their hands, put on a face mask and self-isolate.

  • If we are in the field, we will escort the participants back to the trailhead and call 811 for further consultation for testing and self-isolation.

Covid-19 related Cancellation & Refunds:

​

  • Refer to Bookings Page for Non-Covid Related Cancellation Policy

​

Cancellations related to Covid-19 

  • Cancellations related to COVID-19 are subject to the refund policy outlined below.

  • Clients are allowed to cancel and receive a full or partial refund for the following reasons:

    • You have tested positive to COVID-19, immediately prior to the trip.

    • You have had close contact with someone who has tested positive to COVID-19, immediately prior to the trip.

    • You are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, immediately prior to the trip.

    • You are unable to attend the trip due to a government health order restricting travel or the activity.

​

Refunds related to Covid-19 cancellations

  • Please inquire before the trip as to what portion of the cost may be non-refundable.

  • In the unlikely event thatAspire Mountain Journeys must cancel a program due to Covid-19 restrictions, full or partial refunds will be provided.  If possible, and desired by you, we will try to work with you to reschedule for a future trip date. 

  • We aim to provide a full refund in the unfortunate event of a cancellation related to Covid-19.  However, if a third party has been contracted by Aspire Mountain Journeys - the refunds will be based on the cancellation policies of each third party.  Costs not retrievable from the third party will not be refundable.  In these circumstances, a partial refund will be provided.  Some examples include: 

    • Huts,

    • Helicopter services,

    • Transportation (e.g. flights), 

    • Food, 

    • 3% charge for payments made by credit card.  

  • A fee may be reserved to pay for organizational work already performed.

bottom of page